[ ARC forum 2 ]

Keep on keeping on

Written by Paul B. at 24 Mar 2003 22:35:59:

As an answer to: Re: The culprit no doubt! written by Val at 24 Mar 2003 14:05:38:

>> Does the UK NHS still provide them free if you go to the doctor?
> No. I think it does only if you are on benefits.

You mean they are getting as bad as Australia? Anyway, the Daktarin is generally "OTC" - "over the counter" and you do not need a script, nor does one make it cheaper.

> I could reverse your question and ask what should have made me think that this particular area was different from the rest of my body in that it didn't require the use of any product?

There are two "gotcha"s to this. Firstly, it is clearly different, like your mouth or nose. Perhaps opposite to your mouth, into which you stick the strangest of things, even soap (in the form of toothpaste, well disguised by various flavourants), your nose would be a better comparison. You know it needs cleaning, but you know you do not stick things up there because they would cause trouble, but of course it cleans itself, as does under the foreskin. And of course, if you get an infection there, you do not panic because you expect it to correct itself in a few days. Interesting, eh?

Secondly, you need to know if you do not already, that the hygienic uses of soap anywhere on the body are very limited and the tolerable number of applications varies from a dozen or so on the hands (for most people) to none (for many people in many places). You use it to remove obvious dirt, other than that, a light rub with a soapy washer is plenty.

> it's quite depressing to face my doctor's total lack of interest in trying to find a reason behind all this.

Sad to say, doctors have value systems. That's about it.

> She didn't ask to see this infection that I've now had for about 2 months.

Obviously, your genital problems don't interest her. Now I wonder whether the same would be true if you were a woman with the exact same symptoms? Hard to know.

> for a month now i've been taking Yakult (I don't know if you are familiar with this product),

I'm a trifle sceptical about exactly how much probiotics can help, and I can't see how Pasteurised (dead) yoghurts would have any effect, but it appears this product (and others similar) is "seeded" after Pasteurisation. The problem with "thrush" is that it ferments (multiplies) in the food in your bowel and so you may have large amounts in your motions so there is plenty to cause trouble. Logically if you can reduce the amounts, your body will have better luck repelling it in the places where it causes trouble.

> If you think the pics can be of help, you are welcome to use them or leave them posted somewhere on the internet, but please not in a subfolder called val_25.

No problem. Thanks!

> But look how helpful it's been for me to see a GP ...

And you really think a urologist will have a less "humdrum" approach?

> Maybe a urologist will actually take a look at it to see what the problem might be.

And maybe he will suggest that it will all be "cured" by circumcision, since that is how he usually "cures" such things.

> Even though you called my hygiene simplistic. ;)

There's more to it than meets the eye.


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